Best Benchtop Drill Presses For All Kinds Of Work [Updated 2023]

Working on metal or wood does not always need a floor supported drill press. While a hand drill can do the job sufficiently well, the benchtop model comes with special safety features that ensure the work is done in a safe and comfortable way.

And a benchtop drill press will easily do the work you need and is cheaper when compared to the floor standing type.

These are versatile models that you can use on all types of materials including wood, metal and plastic. However, choosing one from the numerous models available in the market can be confusing.

The features, price, power and other aspects need proper consideration. Fortunately, we have done most of the difficult work for you.

Read on to know the best benchtop drill presses available now.

 

Top 5 Benchtop Drill Presses

Below, you will see our selection of the top 5 benchtop drill presses today.

Additionally, our buying guide at the bottom of the article will help you in making an informed choice.

1. WEN 4214 12-Inch Variable Speed Drill Press

Whether you are a DIY fan or a professional looking for quality bench top drill press, the Wen 4214 is a good choice to consider. This a powerful drill press featuring different speed ranges allowing use on metal as well as wood.

The drill motor of 2/3 HP power has different speed settings shown in RPM. The RPM ranges from 580 to 3,200 RPM.

You need to choose the right RPM level for making precise cuts on your target material. The LED display helps identify the speed at which you are operating the drill press.

For more clear focus on the work at hand, the bench press has a work light onboard.

Other features found in this drill press include a gauge for adjusting depth. With this locking depth adjusting gauge, you can easily set the exact measurement when you cut wood, plastic, metal or other such materials.

Pros

• Operates at different speed range

• LED display is very convenient to read the speed settings

• High power ensures use in different materials

• Depth adjusting gauge is very useful

• Roller extension offers better support

Cons

• The LED display does not work properly

 

2. JET J-2530 Bench Model Drill Press

If you want a larger drill press for your metal or wood cutting work, the 15-inch Jet bench press is a good choice to consider.

This is also good, if you are in search of a permanent fixture. The larger size enables use in multiple applications.

The drill press consists of a bench chuck of 40 inches and placed 63 inches from the ground. It consists of a sturdy hold making it very safe to use.

This product with its 15-inches swing is the biggest in the range available now.

While it is a basic model of large size, the precision is good. It can be applied on different materials.

The motor is made of double ball bearing and has a power of ¾ HP and works at 115 volts. It can also be converted to 220 Volts, if needed.

The RPM ranges from 200 to 3,630 RPM. The assembling of the heavy machine is easy. Number of adjustable speeds consists of 16.

Pros

• Powerful tool with basic features

• Assembling parts is easy

• Is very sturdy to hold

• Swing is very large

Cons

• The plastic shield does not give much protection

• The bench press is very heavy

 

3. SKIL 3320-01 3.2 Amp 10-Inch Drill Press

For beginners who want an affordable drill press but with the necessary basic features, the Skil 10 inch drill press is a good option.

The machine is sturdily built and powerful. Its portable nature makes it convenient to carry the press wherever you want it. Thus, it is ideal if you have limited storage space or have a small workspace.

The machine has a powerful motor with five different speeds ranging from 570 rpm to 3,050 rpm.

It also has a keyed chuck of ½ inch with a bump off button for safety purpose.

In case you need to perform repetitive drilling or need precise measurements, the adjustable depth stopper can be used.

The work surface can be tilted to your right or left up to 45 degrees. The press has a 10 inch swing.

The laser lighting with 2 beams further guides you for proper alignment.

Pros

• Speed system has 5 different variations

• Table has tilt for better working convenience

• Motor is of high power

• Two beams in the laser helps for better focus

• Is portable

• Price is very cheap

Cons

• The laser light is blocked by the chuck

• Depth stop is not very accurate

 

4. ShopSeries RK7033 Drill Press

If you are in search of a compact yet robust drill press, the Shop Series RK7033 is a good choice. The bench press has a durable work table made of cast iron that can tilt up to 45 degrees to the left or right side.

The motor is capable of operating at five different speeds starting from 620 rpm o 3100 rpm. The drill chuck of ½ inch is ideal for woodworking and for metal drill bits that have a maximum of ½ inch shank. This machine has a 10 inch swing.

The dial provided for speed adjustment is easy to use. The motor is powered by a lithium battery of 1.3Ah power.

Other features in this press include the LED lighting for better visibility while working and the battery charge indicator, so you will know when to recharge the battery.

The machine has a limited warranty period of 2 years on the material defect and workmanship. The safety switch prevents the machine from powering on accidentally.

Pros

• The bench drill press provides great value for money

• It is very reliable and provides precise cuts

• Onboard LED lighting enhances visibility

• Adjustments in speed can be made easily with the dial knob

Cons

• The table is very small and top portion is very heavy for the small base making it unstable

• The head does not align well with the column thus does not allow drilling of straight holes.

 

5. Euro Tool Small Benchtop Drill Press

For smaller home projects, the Euro Tool small bench top drill is an ideal choice. Although it is very small, it packs sufficient power making it useful for different drilling projects.

The motor provides variable speeds that range up to 8,500 rpm. The dimensions are 63/4 inches x 63/4 inches and the machine weights 13 pounds.

This makes it a very compact sized drill press that you can store easily in your workshop without worrying about space shortage.

The light weight also makes it easy to carry around wherever you need it. The precision and motor power is reliable.

The machine can be easily assembled from its package with the help of the simple and easy to understand instructions present in the manufacturer’s manual.

For homeowners who work with circuit boards, wood, aluminium, sea glass, shells, plastic and other small productions, this compact drill press is very convenient. But it is not as good with cast iron drilling works.

Pros

• The size is compact

• The light weight and compact size make it portable

• Motor is reliable

• It is easy to use

• Price is affordable

Cons

• The handle does not fit properly

• Height cannot be adjusted

• The speed knob cannot be adjusted

 

Benchtop Drill Press Buyer’s Guide

Shopping for benchtop drill presses is an overwhelming job as we mentioned before. You have to consider various different factors like the motor power, your requirements, the quality, warranty and more.

When you know what factors to look for you can easily choose a machine that is convenient and efficient for your workshop requirement.

So here are some tips to help you choose the right one:

 

Size Of The Drill

Swing size is an important criterion to look into and is based on the drilling type you want to do with the machine. An 8-inch drill is for smaller drilling jobs that do not require much of a depth. Even if the drills are powerful and can be used on metal most often the smaller sized drills are not that versatile.

A 10-inch drill is a more ideal size to choose as it can perform a wider range of drilling tasks. If you purchase one with high power it can be sufficient for tougher drilling tasks.

And drills that have over 12-inch swing can go to deeper depths and be used for professional drilling too. For professional grade performance, you need to choose a drill that has a minimum of 12 inches or higher.

 

Speed Capacity

Although the maximum speed range is what you have to look for, the machine should also have variable speed changing feature. This gives you better control over the drilling. Revolutions per minute (RPM) is the measurement used for speed and indicates the turns a drill makes in a minute.

A maximum speed of 3000 or over will be needed to take care of most of the heavy duty drilling otherwise you will find drilling very tough.

A model that offers a wider range of speeds is also desirable. With multiple varying speeds, you can use the drill on different types of materials.

 

Size Of The Chuck

This denotes the drill bit width that can be used with a drill press. A wider size of chuck enables better work quality. In general, the lowest width available is ½ inch, which you can find in the smaller drill press models.

For bigger models, the width is around 5/8 inch. The larger the drill, the higher will be the drill bit width. The size of the drill depends on the drilling you will be doing.

 

Will Weight Matter?

If you want to move the bench press around your workshop or to different workplaces, it is important that it is light in weight.

Otherwise, the weight is not a very important deciding factor.

 

Laser Beam

A high power laser beam is an essential feature to look for as it will provide better accuracy while drilling. The time taken is also minimized due to the accuracy offered by the beam.

 

Presence Of Light Onboard

Just like the laser beam, the presence of light onboard ensures handling of the drill press is very convenient. Nearly all the products in our line-up have onboard light feature ensuring you have the sufficient illumination for precision drilling work.

Having proper visibility will help you make accurate drill marks or cuts.

 

Safety Features

If you do not handle the drill presses properly, they can turn into dangerous devices. If you are using the drill press for the first time, you should read the manufacturer’s manual for safe handling of the device.

While purchasing look for certifications from government bodies that assure the devices are safe for handling.

Also remember to use safety gear such as goggles and gloves, when you use the benchtop machine.

 

Conclusion

Now that you have gone through our list of best bench top drill presses and the accompanying buying guide, you will find choosing the right one easier. Drill presses require adequate power and precision for effective work completion.

All the models in our line-up are reputed for their precise drills or cuts and have features like laser and LED lighting for more precision and save time too.

The Wen 4214 12-Inch and Jet J-2530 models offer the sturdiness and quality you want for high profile cutting jobs. If you are shopping for budget bench presses without compromising on the quality and features the Skil is a model you should consider.

And there are the lighter versions like Euro Tool and Shop Series bench top models that satisfy portability without affecting the stability of the machine.

The right choice in the end depends on what type of drilling jobs you will be doing with the machine.

 

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